Recent advances in green solvents for lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment: Potential of choline chloride (ChCl) based solvents

Biomass wastes exhibit a great potential to be used as a source of non-depleting renewable energy and synthesis of value-added products. The key to the valorization of excess lignocellulosic biomass wastes in the world lies on the pretreatment process to recalcitrant barrier of the lignocellulosic material for the access to useful substrates. A wide range of pretreatment techniques are available and advances in this field is continuously happening, in search for cheap, effective, and environmentally friendly methods. This review starts with an introduction to conventional approaches and green solvents for pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Subsequently, the mechanism of actions along with the advantages and disadvantages of pretreatment techniques were reviewed. The roles of choline chloride (ChCl) in green solvents and their potential applications were also comprehensively reviewed. The collection of ideas in this review serve as an insight for future works or interest on biomass-to-energy conversion using green solvents.

Quantitative characterization of T-cell repertoire in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is one of curative treatment options for patients with hematologic malignancies. Although GVHD mediated by the donor's T lymphocytes remains the most challenging toxicity of allo-HSCT, graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect targeting leukemic cells, has an important role in affecting the overall outcome of patients with AML. Here we comprehensively characterized the TCR repertoire in patients who underwent matched donor or haplo-cord HSCT using next-generation sequencing approach. Our study defines the functional kinetics of each TCRA and TCRB clone, and changes in T-cell diversity (with identification of CDR3 sequences) and the extent of clonal expansion of certain T-cells. Using this approach, our study demonstrates that higher percentage of cord-blood cells at 30 days after transplant was correlated with higher diversity of TCR repertoire, implicating the role of cord-chimerism in enhancing immune recovery. Importantly, we found that GVHD and relapse, exclusive of each other, were correlated with lower TCR repertoire diversity and expansion of certain T-cell clones. Our results highlight novel insights into the balance between GVHD and GVL effect, suggesting that higher diversity early after transplant possibly implies lower risks of both GVHD and relapse following the HSCT transplantation.

NAC1 modulates sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin by altering the HMGB1-mediated autophagic response

Nucleus accumbens-1 (NAC1), a nuclear factor belonging to the BTB/POZ gene family, is known to play important roles in proliferation and growth of tumor cells and in chemotherapy resistance. Yet, the mechanisms underlying how NAC1 contributes to drug resistance remain largely unclear. We reported here that autophagy was involved in NAC1-mediated resistance to cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of ovarian cancer. We found that treatment with cisplatin caused an activation of autophagy in ovarian cancer cell lines, A2780, OVCAR3, and SKOV3. We further demonstrated that knockdown of NAC1 by RNAi or inactivation of NAC1 by inducing the expression of a NAC1 deletion mutant that contains only the BTB/POZ domain significantly inhibited the cisplatin-induced autophagy, resulting in increased cisplatin cytotoxicity. Moreover, inhibition of autophagy and sensitization to cisplatin by NAC1 knockdown or inactivation were accompanied by induction of apoptosis. To confirm that the sensitizing effect of NAC1 inhibition on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin was attributed to suppression of autophagy, we assessed the effects of the autophagy inhibitors, 3-MA and chloroquine, and siRNAs targeting beclin 1 or Atg5, on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin. Treatment with 3-MA, chloroquine or beclin 1 and Atg5-targeted siRNA also enhanced the sensitivity of SKOV3, A2780 and OVCAR3 cells to cisplatin, indicating that suppression of autophagy indeed renders tumor cells more sensitive to cisplatin. Regulation of autophagy by NAC1 was mediated via high mobility group box1 (HMGB1), as the functional status of NAC1 was associated with the expression, translocation and release of HMGB1. The results of our study not only revealed a new mechanism determining cisplatin sensitivity, but also identified NAC1 as a novel regulator of autophagy. Thus, the NAC1- mediated autophagy may be exploited as a new target for enhancing the efficacy of cisplatin against ovarian cancer and other types of malignancies.

Circulating human group A rotavirus genotypes in Malaysia

This study examined the temporal distribution of rotavirus genotypes in Malaysia. Rotaviruses from children with diarrhea admitted to hospitals in 1996 (n = 93) and 2007 (n = 12) in two different regions of Peninsular (West) Malaysia were analyzed for their G and P genotypes using a hemi-nested RT-PCR assay. In the 2007 samples, the dominant strain was G9P[8]. It was identified in 42% of the samples. Different strains all possessing the G1 genotype were identified in the rest of the samples. In contrast, 81% of the samples collected in 1996 were the G1P[8] strain. No strains with G9 genotype were detected in samples collected in 1996.

Molecular characterization and epidemiology of rotavirus isolates obtained from children with diarrhoea in Malaysia

This retrospective study examined the G/P type of rotavirus in RNA samples that have previously been e-typed by RNA-PAGE in 1996. The results were then compared to 2007 samples to ascertain the extent of changes that may have occurred in this 11-years time interval. The G and P genotypes were determined by hemi-nested PCR and further analysed by phylogenetic study. In 1996, the G/P combination G1P[8], G(UT)P[8] and G1P(UT) prevalence rate were 81%, 9% and 7%, respectively. As expected, the G9 genotype which has already emerged worldwide was identified in 42% of the 2007 samples with the remaining 33% G1P[8] and 25% G1P(UT) Analysis of the RNA pattern showed that majority of the isolates were long e-type in both series, nevertheless minor differences within electropherotypes were observed. Genetic diversity in some strains of the human group A rotaviruses was analysed by phylogenetic methods. These findings will help in the decision to introduce rotavirus vaccines within the next decade.

Survival of Vibrio cholerae on different finger locations of a volunteer following artificial inoculation

The importance of bacteria-suspending media and fingertip positions on the survival of Vibrio cholerae on human fingertips were examined. Vibrios were suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), PBS with albumin, and PBS with agarose. Each type of preparation was inoculated on the fingerpads, the hyponychia, or the eponychia and lateral nail grooves of the fourth, third and second fingers of a volunteer's hand. The last finger inoculated was immediately washed with PBS and the washing collected for examination ("0 minute" exposure). The third and fourth inoculated fingers were likewise washed for examination 2 and 5 minutes later, respectively. The vibrios obtained from the washings were enumerated by culture. For each of the different groups, which consisted of a different inoculated fingertip position, bacteria-suspending medium and exposure period of 2 or 5 minutes, the proportion of replicate inoculated fingers which retained viable vibrios (isolation rate) and the mean number of surviving vibrios, as a percentage of the inoculated vibrios at "0 minute exposure" (survival rate) were as follows: finger pads: vibrios in PBS, 2 minutes post-inoculation (isolation rate, 25%; mean survival rate, 0.002%); 5 minutes post-inoculation (isolation rate, 0%; mean survival rate, 0%). PBS-albumin: 2 minutes post-inoculation (60%, 0.004%); 5 minutes post-inoculation (40%, 0.03%). PBS-agarose: 2 minutes post-inoculation (100%, 24%); 5 minutes post-inoculation (38%, 0.005%). Lateral nail grooves and eponychia: PBS: 2 minutes post-inoculation (100%, 2.2%); 5 minutes post-inoculation (44%, 0.2%). PBS-agarose: 2 minutes post-inoculation (100%, 32%); 5 minutes post-inoculation (100%, 0.7%). Hyponychia: PBS: 2 minutes post-inoculation (100%, 8%); 5 minutes post-inoculation (100%, 0.2%). PBS-agarose: 2 minutes post-inoculation (100%, 46%); 5 minutes post-inoculation (100%, 8%). The results show that vibrios in moisture-retaining medium (PBS-agarose) and inoculated on a sheltered fingertip locations (hyponychium) have the best survival rates. However, the high survival rate was maintained briefly.

Wings of the common house fly (Musca domestica L.): importance in mechanical transmission of Vibrio cholerae

The importance of house fly (Musca domestica L) wings in mechanical transmission of bacteria was studied. A droplet of phosphate-buffered saline containing Vibrio cholerae was rolled along one wing of each house fly. None adhered to the wings but small proportions of the bacterium were isolated from about half the wings. Vibrio cholerae was spread onto the ventral wing surfaces of each unconscious house fly which then was placed inside a bottle. When it regained consciousness, the types of activity it performed over five minutes were noted before the house fly was killed and the bacteria on its wings numerated. Control were house flies killed before inoculation. The proportion of house flies with bacteria on their wings and the mean number of bacteria remaining were significantly less on live house flies than killed controls. Among the live house flies, bacteria were detected on fewer house flies which flew (25%) than those which did not fly (81%). In addition, the mean number of bacteria on the former was significantly less than the latter (5 against 780 colonies). However, both these parameters were not significantly different between the group which performed and the group which did not perform wing grooming; takeoff and alighting over short distances, and somersaulting. Wings of unconscious house flies tethered by their thoraxes were inoculated with V. cholerae. After regaining consciousness, the house flies were allowed to move their wings in flight motions for up to 30 seconds. Small proportions of bacteria remained on all the house flies. House flies were placed in a chamber containing a liquid bait spiked with V. cholerae. After two hours, 10 were removed sequentially and cultured for V. cholerae. The bacterium was isolated from four house flies: two from the legs, and two others from their bodies minus legs and wings. In conclusion, house fly wings do not play an important role in mechanical transmission of bacteria suspended in a non-adhering liquid medium because of the low transfer rate of the bacteria to the wings and poor retention of bacteria on the wings during normal house fly activities.

Characterization of the 13-cis-retinoic acid/cyclodextrin inclusion complexes by phase solubility, photostability, physicochemical and computational analysis

13-cis-Retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) is a synthetic retinoid commonly used in the treatment of severe acne. It has also been found to possess potential chemopreventive activity. It has extremely low aqueous solubility and high photo-sensitivity. This study investigated the effects of the complexation of 13-cis-RA with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) on its phase solubility. HP-beta-CD was found to be more effective in increasing the aqueous solubility of 13-cis-RA compared to alpha-CD. Phase solubility studies indicated that the solubility of 13-cis-RA was increased dramatically by the formation of inclusion complex with HP-beta-CD. The solubility was further enhanced by pH adjustment. The photostability of the selected inclusion complex of 13-cis-RA:HP-beta-CD was then evaluated. Complexation with HP-beta-CD was found to delay the photo-degradation of 13-cis-RA in aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of the solid inclusion complex were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Molecular modeling with MMFF94s force field (SYBYL V6.6) was utilized to predict the preferred orientation of 13-cis-RA in the CD cavity and the main structural features responsible for the enhancement of its solubility and photostability. The energy scores estimated from the computational analysis were found capable of reflecting the stability constants of the cyclodextrin complexes obtained in the phase solubility studies. The results showed that HP-beta-CD was a proper excipient for increasing solubility and stability of 13-cis-RA.

Calmodulin target database

The intracellular calcium sensor protein calmodulin (CaM) interacts with a large number of proteins to regulate their biological functions in response to calcium stimulus. This molecular recognition process is diverse in its mechanism, but can be grouped into several classes based on structural and sequence information. We have developed a web-based database (http://calcium.uhnres.utoronto.ca/ctdb) for this family of proteins containing CaM binding sites or, as we propose to call it herein, CaM recruitment signaling (CRS) motifs. At present the CRS motif found in approximately 180 protein sequences in the databases can be divided into four subclasses, each subclass representing a distinct structural mode of molecular recognition involving CaM. The database can predict a putative CRS location within a given protein sequence, identify the subclass to which it may belong, and structural and biophysical parameters such as hydrophobicity, hydrophobic moment, and propensity for alpha-helix formation.

Diversity of conformational states and changes within the EF-hand protein superfamily

The EF-hand motif, which assumes a helix-loop-helix structure normally responsible for Ca2+ binding, is found in a large number of functionally diverse Ca2+ binding proteins collectively known as the EF-hand protein superfamily. In many superfamily members, Ca2+ binding induces a conformational change in the EF-hand motif, leading to the activation or inactivation of target proteins. In calmodulin and troponin C, this is described as a change from the closed conformational state in the absence of Ca2+ to the open conformational state in its presence. It is now clear from structures of other EF-hand proteins that this "closed-to-open" conformational transition is not the sole model for EF-hand protein structural response to Ca2+. More complex modes of conformational change are observed in EF-hand proteins that interact with a covalently attached acyl group (e.g., recoverin) and in those that dimerize (e.g., S100B, calpain). In fact, EF-hand proteins display a multitude of unique conformational states, together constituting a conformational continuum. Using a quantitative 3D approach termed vector geometry mapping (VGM), we discuss this tertiary structural diversity of EF-hand proteins and its correlation with target recognition.

Recovery of poliovirus from cut surface of stored fresh papaya fruit

Poliovirus kept on the cut surfaces of fully ripe papaya cubes placed in an ice box showed a sharp and significant reduction in the recovery of infectious virus about 15 minutes after exposure. Thereafter, a very gradual decrease ensued and infectious residual virus was detected up to the end of the 6-hour exposure period. Papaya cubes washed or kept overnight before virus inoculation, and from less ripe fruits produced a similar survival pattern. A very small proportion of the inoculum was recovered from the mashed content of the inoculated papaya cubes thus suggesting that most of the non-recovered virus particles were inactivated. The results suggest that the importance of poliovirus-contaminated cut papayas as a transmission vehicle for the virus is greatly reduced by the rapid decline in the infectivity of a large proportion of the virus soon after contamination. Nevertheless, the potential to transmit remains as a small residual pool of infectious poliovirus is able to survive for a relatively long period.

Evidence for calmodulin inter-domain compaction in solution induced by W-7 binding

Small-angle X-ray scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance were used to investigate the structural change of calcium-bound calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM) in solution upon binding to its antagonist, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7). The radius of gyration was 17.4+/-0.3 A for Ca2+/CaM-W-7 with a molar ratio of 1:5 and 20.3+/-0.7 A for Ca2+/CaM. Comparison of the radius of gyration and the pair distance distribution function of the Ca2+/CaM-W-7 complex with those of other complexes indicates that binding of two W-7 molecules induces a globular shape for Ca2+/CaM, probably caused by an inter-domain compaction. The results suggest a tendency for Ca2+/CaM to form a globular structure in solution, which is inducible by a small compound like W-7.

Rotavirus electropherotypes from the Kuala Lumpur Hospital: a re-examination after an interval of seven years

The objective of this study was to ascertain the extent changes have occurred in the epidemiology of human rotavirus electropherotypes from the same location 7 to 8 years after an earlier study. Genomic RNA profiles of rotaviruses from diarrhoeic children admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital from April to December 1996 were determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. A total of 179 group A rotaviruses were detected from 870 children: 175 with legible staining of all RNA segments were classified into 14 distinct electropherotypes (10 and 4 with long and short migration patterns respectively). In addition, the results revealed: high predominance of long pattern electropherotypes (94% of the total electropherotypes); most long electropherotypes with RNA profiles which all 11 RNAs migrated separately (8 of 10 electropherotypes); all short electropherotypes had segments 2 and 3 that co-migrated; presence of a very numerically dominant electropherotype (75% of all electropherotypes); frequent co-circulation of the dominant electropherotype-present throughout the study period--with other electropherotypes present for limited periods; sequential temporal appearances by similar electropherotypes. These observations were similar to that of an earlier study conducted in 1988/89. Nevertheless, the dominant electropherotype in the present study was different and not among the electropherotypes detected in the earlier study.

Detection of false positives by incorporation of a confirmatory blocking test into a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for adenovirus antigen

A blocking test was incorporated into the commercial IDEIA Adenovirus test (DAKO Diagnostics Ltd., Cambridgeshire, UK) to detect false positive results when faecal specimens were tested for adenovirus antigen. Immune rabbit serum raised against pooled adenovirus particles from human faecal specimens, together with the pre-immune serum, was used. Assessment of positive showed that false positives were produced under two different conditions: when results were based on visual determination instead of a cut-off value determined from photometric reading, and when absorbance values were not immediately read at the end of the test. Under the optimum condition for reading and assessment of test results (immediate reading and photometric determination), 11% of 65 adenovirus-positive samples were checked by the blocking ELISA as false positives. The rest of the specimens showed blocking of positive absorbance values by 70 to 98%. ELISA was found to be more sensitive than immune electron microscopy on samples with lower antigen concentration.

Mechanical transport of rotavirus by the legs and wings of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

Factors affecting the mechanical transmission of rotavirus by the legs and wings of the housefly, Musca domestica L., were examined in a laboratory study. Rotavirus was picked up when houseflies walked on thin smears of clarified rotavirus suspensions. The addition of glycerol, which increased viscosity of the virus suspension, and particulate human feces slightly increased the proportion of flies contaminated with virus. However, the addition of glycerol greatly reduced the average number of virus particles picked up per fly, whereas feces greatly increased the number of particles. The proportion of flies with virus-contaminated legs, which transferred virus to > 1 contact surface, was increased by longer contact time with the surface and when the contact surface was agar instead of glass. Most virus particles were deposited on 1st contact with the surface. Most flies dislodged virus particles inoculated on the underside of their wings soon after the start of simulated flight. Our data indicated that the nature of the virus-suspending medium has a greater effect on the level of virus contamination than on the ability to become contaminated. The importance of walking as a mode of virus transport depends on the nature of the contact surface, the risk of the contaminated fly settling first on a surface likely to come into contact with humans, and fly numbers.

Development of a slide latex agglutination test for rotavirus antigen detection

The aim of this study was to optimize the conditions for the passive adsorption of polyclonal antibody onto plain surface polystyrene latex particles and its performance in a slide latex agglutination test for rotavirus antigen detection. Cleaning of latex particles by washing through repetitive centrifuging, decanting and resuspending in distilled water was adequate in removing surfactants from the particles' surfaces to enable coating. A study of antibody concentration, incubation temperature and buffer pH revealed that optimum coating was achieved with a 3-fold excess of antibody to the calculated total particle surface capacity for the antibody in a glycine-saline buffer of pH 9.2 at 40 degrees C for 4 hours. The ionic strength and pH of the latex suspending buffer and the sample buffer were critical factors determining the sensitivity of the test and the appearance of non-specific agglutination. Ultrasonication, addition of glycerol and Tween 20, either individually or in combination, were able to suppress non-specific agglutination in some batches of latex reagents. Polyethylene glycol 6000 enhanced the quality of agglutination as well as reduced the time of its appearance, especially in reagents that produced poor agglutination.

Absence of rotavirus in the neonatal special care nursery of a Malaysian maternity hospital

The pattern of rotavirus infection in babies of the neonatal special care nursery (SCN) of the Kuala Lumpur Maternity Hospital was studied. The presence of rotavirus in the neonates' stools was ascertained using the method of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. No rotavirus was detected in the 511 stools and rectal swabs collected from the 164 neonates over a 8-week period. Thus the babies admitted to the SCN from the labour rooms and the postnatal wards of the hospital were unlikely to be carriers of rotavirus or infected by rotavirus during their stay. It was concluded that rotavirus was not endemic in the nursery or the postnatal wards of this maternity hospital.

Infectivity titration of the fast-replicating and cytopathic hepatitis A virus strain HM175A.2 by an in situ enzyme immunoassay

A simple, rapid and objective infectivity assay based on an in situ enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for the fast-growing and cytopathic cell culture-adapted hepatitis A virus (HAV) strain HM175A.2. Infectivity titration by EIA correlated well with titration by cytopathic effects. The reliability of this assay was demonstrated by close agreement in virus infectivity titers among different assays of the same virus aliquot and between assays of different virus aliquots. HAV infected cell cultures after fixation could be stored for up to 1 week before testing without decline in virus titer.

Invasive aspergillosis--a rabbit model

An invasive aspergillosis model in rabbits was attempted using 3 concentrations of A. fumigatus conidia. Conidia concentrations of 1 x 10(6), 1 x 10(7) and 1 x 10(8) were inoculated intravenously into rabbits. The severity of infection was directly proportional to the inoculum size of the conidia. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from livers, kidneys, spleens, hearts and lungs of infected rabbits at a rate of 82%, 75%, 57%, 54% and 32% respectively. Cultures of urine specimens taken by bladder tap were positive for A. fumigatus in 30% of the rabbits tested. Blood cultures using the Bactec Fungal System (Becton Dickinson Corp., USA) failed to isolate A. fumigatus in 20 rabbits with biopsy-proven invasive apergillosis. Active infection with high fungal tissue burden occurred between 2-4 days after infection in rabbits inoculated with 1 x 10(7) conidia.

An evaluation of the staphylococcal co-agglutination test for the detection of group A rotavirus in human faeces

The group A rotavirus staphylococcal co-agglutination test was evaluated and its sensitivity and specificity compared with an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a commercial latex agglutination test (Rotalex). In addition, the storage stability of the staphylococcal reagents was ascertained. Examination of 136 clarified suspensions of diarrhoeal faeces by the staphylococcal co-agglutination test revealed a high proportion of false positives (26%) and uninterpretable results (34%) due to non-specific agglutination. Non-specific agglutination could be removed effectively by prior absorption of the clarified faecal specimens with unsensitized staphylococci. The staphylococcal co-agglutination test was less sensitive and specific than the in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay but was comparable to the Rotalex slide latex agglutination test. The staphylococcal reagents have a shelf life of at least 29 weeks.

A one year community-based study on the incidence of diarrhoea and rotavirus infection in urban and suburban Malaysian children

A 1 year longitudinal study of 156 Malaysian children from urban and suburban areas in the Klang Valley revealed that the incidence rate of diarrhoea was 23.6 per 100 person-year with abnormal faeces reported on 0.26% of the total days of observation. Diarrhoea cases were detected in children from all socioeconomic classes. Rotavirus was isolated from 12% of the diarrheic children and asymptomatic rotavirus infection occurred in 3.2% of the children. All rotaviruses isolated were group A rotaviruses with long electrophoretypic pattern.

Rotavirus electropherotypes in Malaysian children

A 12-month study was carried out on the molecular epidemiology of rotavirus in urban and suburban Malaysian children. Analysis of faecal samples from 973 hospitalized diarrhoeic children by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis detected 268 rotaviruses (28%). All isolates were group A rotaviruses, which produced 22 electropherotypes: 16 (91.5%) with long RNA migration patterns and 6 (8.5%) with short patterns. One of the long-pattern electropherotypes was the predominant strain (71.1% of the total electropherotypes) isolated during this study. Although 3 other strains were detected sporadically over the study period, 16 others were present only during the first 7 months and 2 others were confined to the last 5 months. Long- and short-pattern electropherotypes were found to co-circulate extensively. There was a significant association of short-pattern electropherotypes with infection in older children. In addition, the prevalence of vomiting and mean duration of diarrhoea were significantly associated with different electropherotypes.

Induction and Ly phenotype of suppressor T cells in mice during primary infection with dengue virus

Infection of mice with dengue-4 virus produced a significant, transient immunosuppression of the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Suppression was noted on day 3 after infection, was maximal on day 5 and was no longer evident on day 13 after infection. The suppressive effect was transferable to normal mice by viable spleen cells from immune mice but not by immune serum. These cells appeared to be present in the spleens of infected mice as early as day 1 after infection and were still detectable on day 7. No evidence was obtained that suppression was mediated by a soluble factor. Further characterization of the cells which could transfer suppression showed them to be T cells possessing both Ly-1 and Ly-2 surface antigens. These data suggest that there may exist two types of T suppressor cells or that, alternatively, an interaction between Ly-1+ and Ly-2+ cells was required to produce suppression. The significance and implications of these findings are discussed.

Human rotavirus infection in Malaysia. III. A one year survey on the prevalence of rotavirus enteritis in children

The prevalence of human rotavirus enteritis in children admitted to the gastroenteritis ward of the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital was studied in 1982. Human rotavirus in the stool of the patients was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The survey showed that rotavirus enteritis in children were observed throughout the year, with two broad peaks of rotavirus infection occurring around March and September. The lowest incidence was recorded in July, however, no prolonged period of low prevalence of rotavirus enteritis was observed. The average prevalence for the whole of 1982 was 40% of the total diarrhoeal cases. No significant relationship was noted between the prevalence of the disease and rainfall.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to dengue virus in mice: effect of route of sensitization and splenectomy

This study was designed to determine the role of the sensitization route and the spleen in the development of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to dengue virus in mice. DTH was measured by footpad swelling response. Strong but transient DTH was produced in cyclophosphamide (CY) pretreated mice sensitized subcutaneously (s.c.) or intravenously (i.v.) with dengue virus type 4. Subcutaneous inoculation of virus in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) further enhanced the DTH elicited. The time course of DTH generated by s.c. and i.v. sensitization were similar with the peak reactivity seen on day 6 after sensitization. Poor DTH was observed in mice given an i.p. inoculation even when CY and/or IFA were used. Intracerebral (i.c.) inoculation also sensitized mice poorly. Splenectomized mice showed enhanced DTH response when compared to intact mice. In contrast to intact mice, pretreatment of splenectomized mice with CY did not alter the DTH level. Splenectomized mice inoculated s.c. with virus in IFA showed poorer DTH than mice sensitized with virus alone.

A method for intratracheal inoculation of mice

The apparatus used is simple and easily manufactured in the laboratory.

The effect of specific antibody on the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and the recovery of mice from influenza virus infection

A study has been made of the effect of humoral antibody on the generation of specific cytotoxic T cells (Tc) in the spleen or lungs after intravenous injection or intranasal inoculation of infectious influenza virus. Antibody injected before or at the same time as virus inhibited completely the generation of Tc in the spleen. If injected 1 h after virus, the inhibition was reduced by 50%, and little inhibition occurred if antibody was injected 6 h after virus. This suggested that antibody failed to influence Tc generation once infection of stimulating cells had occurred. Antibody injected intravenously 24 h after intranasal inoculation of virus into normal mice did not affect the level of cytotoxic activity present in the lungs, and trace amounts only (less than 1 log10 EID50) could be recovered from the lungs at 6 days. As there is a high titre (greater than 6 log10 EID50) of infectious virus in the lungs of mice 24 h after infection, this represents a very efficient control mechanism. The same protocol carried out with athymic mice gave only a partial clearance (c. 3 log10 EID50) of virus in the lungs. It was suggested that a major role of humoral antibody was to limit infection by the virus, and in this respect it complemented the action of Tc.

The measurement of haemagglutinin and matrix protein present on the surface of influenza virus infected P815 mastocytoma cells

A thermodynamic approach has been used to measure the amount of haemagglutinin and matrix protein expressed at the surface of P815 cells infected for periods between 4.5 and 11 h with either WSN (H0N1) or JAP (H2N2) strains of type A influenza virus. This involved measuring the interaction of different concentrations of labelled (Fab)2 preparations of specific antibody with normal and infected cells. Assuming that one molecule of (Fab)2 bound to one molecule of antigen, values for the number of molecules of antigen/infected cell ranged from 7.6 X 10(5) to 1.7 X 10(7) for haemagglutinin and 1.3 X 10(5) to 1.1 X 10(6) for matrix protein. The ratio of haemagglutinin/matrix protein was lower for WSN-infected cells (1.7) than for JAP-infected cells (10). The same reagents were reacted with three purified A type virions; WSN, JAP and Port Chalmers (H3N2). Each preparation bound anti-matrix protein (Fab)2 though the value for haemagglutinin/matrix protein was much higher (66) than for infected cells and suggested that a virion may have a small number (about 12) of matrix protein molecules exposed though it was not excluded that the matrix protein detected was exposed only on damaged virions. Pre-treatment of infected cells with unlabelled reagent (anti-haemagglutinin) reduced the subsequent binding of the same labelled reagent but not the binding of the labelled matrix protein reagent and vice versa, suggesting that the haemagglutinin and matrix protein were not very close to each other on the cell surface.

The recovery of mice from influenza A virus infection: adoptive transfer of immunity with influenza virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognizing a common virion antigen

Mice inoculated intranasally with infectious influenza virus of a given A strain were adoptively transferred 24 h later with preparations of secondary influenza virus-immune T cells generated either in vitro or entirely in vivo. The immune cells were raised during infection with homologous or heterologous A strain influenza viruses or with a type B virus. The greatest antiviral effect, measured by reduction in lung virus level of recipient mice, occurred if homologous viruses were used. Sharing of haemagglutinin specificity was shown to be important, but significant antiviral activity was still expressed if neither haemagglutinin nor neuraminidase antigenic specificities were shared. The antiviral effect was type-specific. Adoptive transfer of type A influenza immune T cells did not express antiviral activity against type B virus, and vice versa. On the basis of earlier work, the effector population in the transferred cells was cytotoxic T cells (Tc). Intranasal reinfection of mice with a heterologous type A virus sharing neither haemagglutinin nor neuraminidase antigenic specificity with the first infecting virus induced enhanced and earlier production of cross-reactive Tc against type A influenza viruses. This was paralleled by significantly lower virus levels in the lungs. The results of this work demonstrate heterotypic cell-mediated immunity in influenza virus infection in mice.

The recovery of mice from influenza virus infection: adoptive transfer of immunity with immune T lymphocytes

Transfer of primary or secondary influenza-immune spleen cells to mice infected intranasally with influenza virus resulted in a significant clearance of virus from the lungs and the protection of the recipients from death. The antiviral activity was associated only with intact, viable cells and was not due to carryover of virus. The effector cell population responsible for the antiviral effect was shown to be T cells. Thus, the removal of adherent, phagocytic and Ig+ cells did not affect the antiviral activity, whereas it was destroyed with antitheta serum and complement. Antiviral activity was specific and was best expressed if the virus used to infect the recipients and to generate immune cells was the same strain. Further work will be necessary to define rigorously the role of different viral antigens in cell-mediated immune response to influenza virus infection.

Role of viral infectivity in the induction of influenza virus-specific cytotoxic T cells

This report examines the requirement for infectious virus in the induction of influenza virus-specific cytotoxic T cells. Infectious influenza virus was found to be highly efficient at generating both primary and secondary cytotoxic T-cell response in vivo. Inactivated influenza virus however, failed to stimulate a detectable cytotoxic T-cell response in vivo even at immunizing doses 10(5)-10(6)-fold higher than the minimum stimulatory dose of infectious virus. Likewise inactivated virus failed to sensitize target cells for T cell-mediated lysis in vitro but could stimulate a specific cytotoxic response from primed cells in vitro. Possible requirements for the induction of virus-specific cytotoxic T-cell responses are discussed in light of these observations and those of other investigators.

Cytotoxic T cells in the lungs of mice infected with an influenza A virus

Cytotoxic T cells are present in the lungs and the bronchoalveolar washings of mice infected intravenously (i.v.) or intranasally (i.n.) with live influenza A/WSN virus. After i.v. injection, cytotoxic T cell activity in both spleens and lungs reaches a peak at 6 days when the level of infectious virus recovered from the lungs falls sharply and the mice do not die. If a lethal dose of virus is given intranasally, very high levels of virus appear rapidly in the lungs, and the development of lung consolidation follows slightly behind the appearance of cytotoxic T cells there. When a non-lethal dose of virus is given intranasally, lower levels of virus are found in the lung and the appearance of cytotoxic T cells is delayed. These results suggest that the cytotoxic T cells play a protective role if the level of virus in the lungs does not reach very high levels. After injection of antithymocyte serum, the subsequent level of cytotoxic T cell activity in the lungs was greatly reduced, suggesting that the T cells recovered in lungs had at an earlier stage been circulating cells. However, splenectomized mice develop high levels of cytotoxic T cell activity, after intranasal infection of mice, indicating that the spleen did not contribute substantially to the T cells recovered in the lungs.

Cytotoxic T cells specific for influenza virus-infected target cells

Conditions are described for the generation and detection of murine cytotoxic cells which lyse influenza virus-infected target cells. A number of criteria indicated that most and probably all of the activity was due to T cells. These criteria included the susceptibity of cytotoxic activity to treatment with anti-theta ascitic fluid plus complement and the enhancement of lysis when there was H2 compatibility between donors of effector and virus-infected target cells.